The TESOL field is full of confusing acronyms. What do they mean?
We hope that this table helps with some acronyms. TESOL terms evolve. Some of the terms in the table below are older and fading in popularity while others are more current. That is why some terms have similar meanings to others.
TESOL Acronyms | |
ACTA | The Australian Council of TESOL Associations – the national coordinating body representing all teachers of English to speakers of other languages. ATESOL ACT is a constituent association of ACTA. http://www.tesol.org.au/ |
AMEP | The Adult Migrant English Program, also known as AMEP, is an Australian Government funded programme which provides basic tuition in the English language to help eligible adult migrants and refugees settle successfully in Australia. In the ACT region, AMEP courses are run by Navitas English and TAFE NSW Illawarra; in other states by TAFE, AMES and other private providers. http://www.education.gov.au/adult-migrant-english-program-0 |
CALL | Computer Assisted Language Learning |
CELTA | Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (taught by agencies of University of Cambridge ESOL) http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/teaching-english/teaching-qualifications/celta/ |
CLOTE | Community Language Other Than English |
CL | Community Languages |
DELTA | Diploma in English Language Teaching (taught by agencies of University of Cambridge ESOL) http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/teaching-english/teaching-qualifications/delta/ |
EA | English Australia (EA) is the national peak body and professional association for English language colleges (ELICOS) in Australia. http://www.englishaustralia.com.au/ |
EAL/D | English as an Additional Language or Dialect. This term is replacing NESB and LBOTE in some places. |
EAP | English for Academic Purposes |
EFL | English as a Foreign Language. Refers to English as taught where English is not a native language. Compare with (ESL or ESOL) |
ELICOS | English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students |
ESP | English for Special Purposes |
ESL | English as a Second Language (synonymous with ESOL). Refers to English as taught to non-English speakers in a country where it is a native language eg Australia, USA, UK. (Compare with EFL) |
ESOL | English for Speakers of Other Languages (This term was introduced after “ESL” came to be regarded as too limiting because some non-native speakers of English speak more than one other language.) |
EVE | English for Vocational Education |
IELTS | The International English Language Testing System measures ability to communicate in English across all four language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking – for people who intend to study or work where English is the language of communication. Secondary level overseas students who intend to study in Australian institutions must achieve a minimum score in the IELTS exam, which varies according to type of institution and course which students intend to attend. http://www.ielts.org/ |
LBOTE | Language Background Other than English |
LEP | Limited English Proficiency |
LOTE | Language Other Than English |
LLNP | Language Literacy and Numeracy Programme. Now known as SEE: Skills for Education & Employment – see below. |
NEAS | The National English Language Teaching Accreditation Scheme Limited (NEAS) is Australia’s national accreditation scheme for English Language Teaching centres. (It is not involved in accrediting government schools nor independent schools for Australian students.) http://www.neas.org.au/ |
NESB | Non English Speaking Background |
NNEST | Non-Native English Speaking Teacher |
SEE | Skills for Education & Employment. A Commonwealth funded programme for registered jobseekers. In the ACT region, courses are conducted by CIT and TAFE NSW Illawarra. http://www.education.gov.au/skills-education-and-employment |
TAFE | Technical and Further Education. |
TEFL | Teaching English as a Foreign Language |
TESL | Teaching English as a Second Language |
TESOL | Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. |
TESOL International | TESOL International is an international professional association of teachers of ESOL. http://www.tesol.org/ |
TQI | Teacher Quality Institute http://www.tqi.act.edu.au |
UECA | University English Centres Australia – a network of 30 Australian universities offering English Australia Language courses for overseas students, ELICOS, and IELTS preparation. http://www.ueca.edu.au |
Thanks to ATESOL NSW for permission to use their template and some of their information for this document.